Attitudes of nursing staff towards a Modified Early Warning System

This study aimed to understand the attitudes of qualified nursing staff on an acute medical unit concerning the Modified Early Warning System (MEWS) score chart used to monitor patients. A combination of questionnaires and a focus group was used. All respondents believed that the MEWS is beneficial in their work but the point was also raised that MEWS scores can be miscalculated and there is sometimes difficulty in getting medical staff to review the patient, even if the MEWS score is significantly high. At times a qualified nurse's seniority or the colour of his or her uniform can affect the attitude of the medical staff and can mean the difference between the patient being reviewed or not. Certain medics have a culture of dismissing a high MEWS score because they were expecting these vital physiological signs to be abnormal, owing to that particular patient's past medical history or presenting complaint. Most hospitals in the NHS now use some sort of early warning system but, at times, staff seem to be unsure of the importance of the MEWS score or what action needs to be taken. The authors agree with the view that introduction of a standard NHS-wide chart would be of benefit to staff and patients.